Question

A scientist begins an experiment with a culture of 5 bacteria cells. Every hour, the number of bacteria cells triples. Which equation can be used to represent the number of bacteria cells, y, as it relates to time in hours, x?
y = 5 x
y = 3(5) x
y = 3 x
y = 5(3) x

Answer 1

The answer is 5(3)^x because tripling something means the base must be 3, which leaves the 5 to be the principal value.

Answer 2

Whichever one is 5*3^x.